Artist:     Phantom Blues Band

Album:     Still Cookin’

Label:     Vizztone

Release Date:     2.14.2020

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The title is welcome: it’s been eight years since we’ve last heard a recording from the Phantom Blues Band. Once an eclectic group of musicians cobbled together to back Taj Mahal, these guys return with a statement on Still Cookin’, the sextet’s fourth release. Like their preceding material, we find the roots veterans churning out a vibrant, foot-stomping set of traditional Texas blues, gospel, Latin, and good-time swampy rock ‘n’ roll. The sextet is still intact, save Les Lovitt replacing Darrell Leonard on trumpet, although Leonard returns on one tune. The horn-driven, R&B -oriented unit has Joe Sublett (sax), with leader Tony Braunagel (drums), Mike Finnigan (keys), Johnny Lee Schell (guitar) and Larry Fulcher (bass). The latter three all share vocals and most of the dozen tunes are originals from the band.

Blues fans will recognize that these players have logged and continue to log tons of sessions as sidemen with Bonnie Raitt and others, perhaps explaining the long gap between albums. Many of the members boast individual Blues Music Awards. Braunagel is a prolific producer of blues albums, although Still Cookin’ is a collective band effort, with Johnny Lee Schell as the principal driving force, co-producing, engineering and mixing.

The dozen tunes, like past efforts, runs close to 50 minutes, with clear emphasis on the tune itself and crisp, economical collaboration rather than extended soloing. The three solid, non-flashy vocalists, including the terrific Mike Finnigan, keep the groove varied. This is music is so deeply rooted in their blood that it’s clear they don’t have to try too hard. They want to have fun and do so, coming across naturally and unpretentiously, beginning with Steve Cropper and Wilson Pickett’s “Don’t Fight It” with all three vocalists chiming in on the funky groove. The soulful strut continues with Jeff Paris’ “Stop Runnin’” before Schell joins with Finnigan on Sublett’s mid-tempo “Wingin’ My Way.” The two swap vocals again on Finnigan’s barrelhouse piano-driven “Just In Case.”

A clear highlight is Finnigan’s soulful vocal and piano on the late pianist/songwriter David Egan’s ballad “Blues How They Linger.” The band covers Egan again on the perky, horn slathered “Fess On Up’ with Schell on lead vocal and Finnigan in support. Other “must listens” include the reggae-styled, exuberant message of unity in “Shine On” with Finnigan and Fulcher; the rollicking, Los Lobos-like Latin tune “Tequila Con Yerba” in which all band members sing and Lovitt’s trumpet sparkles, and the closer “I Was Blind” which adds the female voice of guest Maxayn Lewis. The band’s camaraderie, fun-loving spirit, and dedication to playing old school music they obviously love helps elevate the performances, all of which are emotive and stirring.

—Jim Hynes